• Principles
• Strategies for Specific Regions
• Infrastructure and Economic Development: Key for Future Growth
• Better Management of our Natural and Built Environment
• Telecommunications Infrastructure: The Great Enabler
• Education, Training and Skills Development for Regions
• Regional Services: Statement of Entitlements for all Australians
• Reforming Regional Structures and Processes
• Resourcing the Regions
• Building Stronger Communities
• Local Government
• External Territories

All Australians should be able to participate fully in the life of the nation, no matter where they live. Labor is committed to strengthening regional communities because local communities are the nation building core of our future—nurturing the next generation of Australians and fostering the next generation of Australian industries and jobs. Regional communities face significant challenges including shortages of skilled workers, environmental constraints and inadequate service provision. Labor will give priority to improving regional infrastructure and services, in particular through improved service provision, faster broadband and expanded opportunities for education and training.

1. Principles

1. Regions play a vital role in the economic development of Australia contributing 65 per cent of Australia's export income. Labor recognises that international best practice demonstrates that national leadership combined with strong local input into regional development improves the sustainability of the regions and the nation. Successful nations have active strategies to regenerate their regions and integrate them into the national and global economy.

2. Regions are not only the economic drivers of the nation. They are a source of significant social and cultural diversity and our precious natural resources base. Labor is committed to 221 the sustainable economic, social and environmental development of our regions and their natural resource base. This development is good for the regions and it is good for the nation.

3. The sustainable development of our regions and the fair sharing of opportunity between regions is critical to Australia's long-term economic, environmental and social well-being. Labor is committed to reducing economic and social inequalities between regions caused by infrastructure bottlenecks, skills shortages and distance. Where market failures do exist, Labor is committed to fill the gaps and ensure communities do not decline.

4. Labor recognises that our regions are diverse in size, population and location. Labor recognises that an inclusive approach to Australia's development will encompass all regions: remote, rural, regional and urban. Labor also understands a collaborative approach to regional development that involves all levels of government, the private sector and local communities, will produce the best solutions and outcomes.

5. Labor has had a consistent commitment to our regions. Successive Federal Labor governments have recognised the role of the Commonwealth in regional development and made the commitment through innovative policies to address regional needs. By contrast, Coalition Governments have abrogated their responsibility to regional development which has hindered economic development, undermined social cohesion and led to regressive cuts in services.

6. Labor is committed to restoring a Commonwealth commitment to regional development. Globalisation and technological change bring opportunities and threats. Government has a responsibility to act as catalyst and partner to meet the challenges confronting our regions to ensure equitable economic and social outcomes, address market failures and provide services.

7. The Commonwealth has both the capacity and the responsibility to plan for the long-term for industry and workforce development, the provision and maintenance of infrastructure and services and environmental sustainability.

8. Labor recognises that regional development is not only about assisting disadvantaged regions although this is a clear role for the Commonwealth. Regional development is also about assisting progressive regions to realise their full potential. By enhancing all regions' performance there is spill over to surrounding regions and the nation. Regions should offer the best opportunity to live, work and raise a family.

9. Diversity in Australia's regions means that a one-size-fits-all approach to regional development will not work. Labor supports a location-specific approach. Local communities have much creativity and enthusiasm but often lack the resources to put these skills to work. Labor will support regional communities to develop local solutions and strategies to realise their potential.

10. Labor also respects the capacity of communities to determine their own futures, and will support each region in assessing its own potential, identifying its own priorities, devising its own solutions and driving its own agenda. Labor will develop place-based policies to respond to local solutions and coordinate delivery of long-term strategies across departments and between levels of government.

11. Labor will pursue an expanded role for the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) incorporating Commonwealth, State and local governments, to coordinate and integrate infrastructure utilisation and service provision between different levels of government, private and community sectors.

12. As the level of government closest to the community, Labor recognises the role local government plays in regional planning and decision making and will ensure their active participation in regional development strategies.

13. Strategies for Specific Regions

13. All Australian regions have unique configurations of geographic, economic and social characteristics and require the development of specific strategies to reach their full potential. Labor recognises that in the uneven pattern of economic development, six types of regions face different challenges:

    • old industrial centres affected by industry restructuring;
    • outer metropolitan regions poorly served by infrastructure and services;
    • rural towns and communities with declining populations;
    • coastal conurbations with growing populations and development pressures placing the environment at risk;
    • fast growing inland centres experiencing rapid growth as a result of factors such as new mining activity, industrial expansion and tree change migration; and
    • remote and isolated areas that are deficient in or devoid of infrastructure, services and economic and employment opportunities.

14. Labor will develop a National Settlement Strategy to bring together the evidence about Australia's settlement trends, enabling all levels of government to plan for the future by identifying what is needed to ensure communities develop in sustainable ways. Trends examined will include expected changes in industry structure, employment demand and demographics. Labor will use the National Settlement Strategy to inform decisions about Commonwealth investment in hard and soft infrastructure, particularly in areas of rapid growth.

15. Labor recognises that some growing regions need to attract new migrants. New arrivals must be provided with sufficient and appropriate services to encourage them to become part of their new regional communities.

16. Labor recognises that 80 per cent of the Australian population lives on one per cent of the land mass, the coastal fringe. This trend continues in the context of an ageing population.

17. The ‘sea/tree change' trend offers opportunities for positive renewal and renaissance occurring in many smaller communities. Labor will work with local government, regional development bodies and the community to make the most of these opportunities.

18. Labor will also work with other spheres of government to address the impact of rapid population growth on the viability of local government and on community infrastructure in both ‘sea change' and fast-growing inland communities.

19. Many towns in regional Australia have very high Indigenous populations where 40 per cent of the population is under the age of 15. This should be understood in the planning of service delivery and policy development. Labor will ensure, in these places, that the local Indigenous community is engaged in the development of delivery of programs and services.

20. Labor will provide focused assistance to regions of greatest disadvantage and will seek to reduce the gap between these regions and more advantaged areas. These regions will be given priority access to Commonwealth funding in key policy areas.

21. Labor will seek to regenerate regions bearing the costs of economic restructuring. Labor will develop strategies involving all levels of government aimed at improving the physical, social and economic environment in these areas. These strategies will involve the development of local industry and employment opportunities, access to education, health, housing and community support services, improved transport links and the involvement of local stakeholders.

22. Labor recognises that housing affordability and demand for housing is an issue in high growth and mining communities. Labor will work with all levels of government, housing providers and the community to develop local strategies to meet the challenge of housing affordability.

23. Labor recognises there are disparities between regions. Labor will establish benchmarks that recognise differences between regions and help identify what is necessary to overcome them.

24. Labor will continue to develop integrated strategies for particular regions in partnership with local stakeholders.

25. Infrastructure and Economic Development: Key for Future Growth

25. Labor recognises that adequate infrastructure, the ability to attract capital, an innovative business culture and a skilled workforce are critical to developing regional economies.

26. Labor is committed to consulting with local communities about their infrastructure needs and ensuring that regional priorities are considered in developing national infrastructure priorities.

27. Labor recognises that infrastructure is not just road, rail and ports. As important as these remain, there are other essential infrastructure needs which must be met for sustainable growth in the regions. Labor recognises that strong national leadership is essential to meet these essential infrastructure needs. This essential infrastructure includes sustainable water resources and land use, telecommunications and sustainable sources of energy.

28. A successful economy depends on the provision and maintenance of adequate infrastructure to support economic development and service delivery. Labor will establish a national infrastructure council, Infrastructure Australia, to coordinate a national strategy for infrastructure provision and maintenance across all regions to address the infrastructure bottlenecks constraining further development. Infrastructure Australia will complete an audit of our nation's infrastructure needs and analyse, prioritise and monitor the delivery of major projects.

29. Infrastructure Australia will consult with regions themselves to determine national infrastructure priorities. The network of Area Consultative Committees will have a wider role in identifying their region's infrastructure priorities, in tandem with developing strategic economic plans in partnership with local stakeholders.

30. Labor is committed to develop a strong integrated trade and industry policy to encourage innovation and investment in regional industries to enable them to value-add our export base. This will create new and long-term economic and employment opportunities across regional Australia.

31. Labor will facilitate the expansion of new links between regional universities, export manufacturers and industry to encourage more diversity of our regional export base. Labor will encourage joint research and development to move Australian exports up the supply chain.

32. Labor will encourage strategic alliances between industry, universities, research centres, business service providers and customers. Labor will assist regions to develop business networks that allow them to identify and develop closer links with other regions, industries and sectors.

33. Labor recognises that retaining, creating and expanding business and industry is critical to providing opportunity and security for the future, and will encourage innovation and business growth. Labor is committed to overcoming the practical difficulties faced by regional and outer urban business, particularly small business, in accessing information and expertise. Labor will improve the effectiveness of business networks, including online networks, in disseminating best practice information and new technologies to regional and outer urban businesses.

34. Labor recognises the difficulties faced by regional businesses in accessing capital, information and advice and will develop initiatives to improve information flows between financial institutions and regional entrepreneurs.

35. Labor recognises that up-to-date communications infrastructure and facilities are essential to develop industry and business and Labor will develop and implement a national strategy to deliver broadband services to all parts of the nation.

36. Labor recognises that economic and business development will be enhanced in regions that have a high quality of life. Labor is committed to promoting opportunities for cultural expression and cultural experiences for all Australians whatever their backgrounds and wherever they live.

37. Better Management of our Natural and Built Environment

37. Labor recognises the Commonwealth must play a leadership role in environmental management to ensure sustainability at local, regional, national and global levels.

38. Labor will consider the environmental impact of all policy decisions made by government.

39. Labor will encourage the development of regional environmental strategies, encouraging effective land and water usage strategies and the expansion of industries such as alternative energy development and environmental renewal.

40. Labor recognises that strong national leadership is required to deliver effective reform and sustainability of our precious water resources.

41. Labor recognises that the renewable energy industry can offer both environmental benefits and opportunities for economic and industry development in regional communities.

42. Labor will facilitate a grass roots approach to local and regional environmental management to engage public commitment.

43. Telecommunications Infrastructure: The Great Enabler

43. Labor recognises that access to fast, affordable broadband is the great enabling infrastructure for individuals and regions.

44. Labor recognises that "Next Generation Networks"- the use of packet technology (internet) to provide telephone, data, internet, email, video, pay TV and television, including high definition television—requires true high-speed broadband. The difficulty in providing this broadband speed in regional and remote communities has the potential to create a new digital divide. Labor is committed to ensuring that the digital divide is minimised.

45. Labor recognises that access to fast, affordable broadband in regional areas will enable regional industries and businesses to be better able to access world markets and improve export performance.

46. Labor recognises that access to fast, affordable broadband will not only benefit regional economies but will also enhance the educational opportunities of all of children regardless of where they live.

47. Labor will take the national leadership necessary to establish an integrated national broadband network. Labor will establish and implement a national broadband strategy to ensure up-to-date communications infrastructure and services are available to residents and businesses in outer-metropolitan, regional and remote Australia.

48. Education, Training and Skills Development for Regions

48. Labor recognises that knowledge and learning are critical to the long-term future of regional economies and that the education sector has great potential to be a source of ideas and to assist in local economic and social challenges.

49. Labor will develop initiatives to retain and attract a diversity of highly-skilled workers to regional areas. This includes supporting regional university campuses enabling people to study in their place of origin and retaining highly-skilled workers in the regions.

50. Labor is committed to working in partnership with local communities to identify the skills shortages constraining further growth and to maximise the opportunities for young people to pursue education and employment in their own region.

51. Labor will ensure that national training and education solutions are tailored to deliver local results.

52. Labor is committed to get the balance right between skilled migration and training young Australians in regional areas.

53. Labor will seek to improve coordination of all education sectors at a regional level.

54. Labor recognises that access to fast, affordable broadband is essential for students, teachers and academia in distance education, and for regional universities to continue to be competitive with metropolitan universities.

55. Regional Services: Statement of Entitlements for all Australians

55. Labor believes that all Australians, regardless of where they live, should have reasonable and affordable access to services including:

    • secure and appropriate housing;
    • transport;
    • basic utilities;
    • universal and affordable broadband facilities and mobile access;
    • quality education and training opportunities;
    • health and aged care;
    • financial services;
    • personal, family and social services;
    • employment services; and
    • information on government programs and policies.

56. Labor recognises that many regional communities face difficulties in accessing a range of basic services. Labor is committed to develop a flexible, long-term solution to deliver services to all communities.

57. Labor is committed to ensure all government decisions are assessed for their impact on regional areas.

58. Labor recognises that an integrated cross-portfolio approach to regional development is necessary to meet social, economic and environmental goals and to deliver quality services to all regions.

59. Labor recognises that a concerted commitment by all levels of Government to work cooperatively is necessary to improve the delivery of services to regional areas.

60. Labor is committed to protect affordable, accessible health services in all regions. Labor is committed to ensure the universal nature of Medicare to ensure all Australians have access to free hospital care, bulk billed or rebated medical services and subsidised essential medicines.

61. Labor recognises that the health status of regional communities is directly related to the economic prosperity of each community. Labor's commitment to rural health is therefore part of a wider regional and rural policy that aims to ensure the economic health of regional communities.

62. Labor recognises that many regions have severe shortages of medical professionals and will develop initiatives to address the shortages. Labor will ensure an appropriate supply of health professionals in rural, regional and outer-suburban Australia.

63. Labor recognises that a concerted and sustained commitment by all levels of government towards working cooperatively and committing increased resources to rural health is a necessary first step.

64. Labor will foster a collaborative environment between service providers and increase resources to rural health services. Labor will also create flexible funding arrangements that respond to different communities' needs and accommodate the different models of health services to enable the sharing of resources and maximise access to health expertise in regional and rural areas.

65. Labor recognises the increased financial, social and professional efforts facing rural health care providers. Labor will address the special demands for rural health care including:

    • making GP training places more available;
    • providing greater professional support and education opportunities to health professionals;
    • supporting programs that improve access to locum services for health professionals;
    • supporting incentive packages for health professionals to relocate and remain in rural and remote communities;
    • promoting cross-culture training programs for rural health professionals to ensure Indigenous Australians are appropriately cared for in mainstream health services; and
    • ensuring equitable access to health services in areas where access to public hospital facilities is inadequate or non-existent.

66. Labor recognises that basic banking, insurance and financial services are essential for all Australians. Labor will consider ways to intervene should there be a further decline in access to these services in regional communities.

67. Labor will establish a national transport planning strategy to enable integrated planning across regional areas.

68. Labor will develop a comprehensive national disaster strategy, in partnership with State and Territory emergency services and local governments.

69. Labor will work with State and Territory governments to implement a national bushfire strategy aimed at ameliorating the adverse environmental, social and economic impacts of bushfires.

70. Labor acknowledges the important role of local government in the provision and maintenance of social and economic infrastructure.

71. Reforming Regional Structures and Processes

71. National leadership is essential to ensure regional structures and process are effectively used and developed. Regional planning and decision making allows for coordination between smaller local communities, based on geographic proximity and commonality of interest.

72. While Labor commits to ensure regional development is part of mainstream policy, it will also retain separately financed regional-specific programs. In retaining these programs, Labor will ensure that the highest levels of transparency and accountability in program administration are adhered to.

73. Labor recognises that there is a role for all three levels of government in developing Australia's regions. National leadership is also essential to develop a whole-of-government approach to regional development. Labor will work with State and local governments to develop a strategic approach for regional futures.

74. Labor will build on existing regional structures including Area Consultative Committees and will continue to support regional organisations of councils.

75. Labor will ensure that Area Consultative Committees (ACCs) Boards operate in a transparent and accountable manner, are representative of their communities and will work closely with State and local government.

76. Labor will widen the mandate and improve the resources of the network of ACCs, in order to reconnect with regional areas and build capacity within them. ACCs will have a mandate to:

    • develop strategic economic, environmental and societal plans in close consultation with local government, state regional development bodies, private sector and regional communities,
    • support local projects in line with their plans, and
    • identify infrastructure needs (Infrastructure Australia will be required to consult ACCs in establishing national infrastructure priorities).

77. Labor will ensure that ACCs' cooperation with government and community bodies results in a single plan for each region, and that all involved play complementary roles without overlap.

78. Labor will rename the ACC network Regional Development Australia to better reflect its role in coordinating regional development. Labor will ensure the network is properly resourced to provide funding certainty over the longer term.

79. Labor will establish a network of Commonwealth urban development offices to work alongside regional structures in urban areas to coordinate Commonwealth activity.

80. Labor will build capacity in communities to develop location-specific solutions. Community empowerment will be at the core of Labor's approach, with the devolution of opportunity and responsibility to local communities. Labor will identify and develop community leadership, including youth leadership, and will provide opportunities for community input to ensure people have an effective voice in policy development and delivery.

81. Resourcing the Regions

81. Labor recognises that regional development has been financed separately to mainstream policy. This has restricted long-term planning for regional development and led to programs built on short-term political gain. Labor will retain regional funding programs, including the Regional Partnerships program, but will improve their transparency and accountability and ensure funds are allocated for legitimate local needs.

82. Labor will ensure that regional development and services are not sideline issues but are brought into mainstream policy and service delivery. Labor will require mainstream portfolio budgets to identify how much they are spending in each region of Australia. This will produce greater accountability in the budget papers and will allow regions to have input to the spatial allocation of funds in a range of portfolios for better service delivery. This funding model will also drive coordination across government.

83. This funding model will also provide a mechanism by which mainstream portfolios are required to respond to innovative, creative solutions for better service delivery. Labor will explore opportunities to establish innovation funds in the main portfolios of health, education and industry to respond to innovative, creative solutions developed by local communities to improve service delivery and to develop regions.

84. Labor will explore opportunities for regional development bodies to have input into the allocation of mainstream portfolio funds in their communities to respond to local solutions for better services delivery and economic development.

85. Labor will invest the Broadband Connect program funds and the Communications Fund to establish a national broadband network.

86. Labor will explore options for investment in infrastructure through partnerships with the private sector, and in consultation with local people, local government and local businesses.

87. Building Stronger Communities

87. Many urban, rural and remote communities have been adversely affected by the process of globalisation and the resulting transformation of local employment and industry.

88. Labor recognises that confident, inclusive communities create opportunities for environmental, social, cultural and economic development and lead to improved health, education and employment outcomes.

89. Labor is committed to community building, which involves developing partnerships between local people, government, businesses, higher education and research institutions and other agencies to improve the places in which people live. Community building aims to find local solutions to local problems, increase social participation and develop networks within and across communities. Labor will pay particular attention to the opportunities afforded to young people in these communities.

90. The regional network of ACCs is ideally placed to drive coordination and partnerships across local communities.

91. Local Government

91. Labor will support the necessary legislation for a referendum to amend the Australian Constitution to recognise the autonomous role of local government. In addition Labor recognises:

    • the increased role played by local government in the Australian federal system and potential benefits to the nation of enhancing that role;
    • local government's participative role in the decision making process of COAG, and the parallel Ministerial Committee relevant to local government;
    • the important role played by local government representatives in their communities:
    • the value of democratic, accountable and efficient local government as a vehicle for local democratic decision making, responsible to local communities;
    • the importance of effective partnerships between local government and the Commonwealth in the efficient delivery of services that impact directly on the living standards of Australians; and
    • that efficient, effective and responsive local government is vital to creating and maintaining equity between the regions.

92. Labor is committed to working with local government to develop and implement strategies to increase participation by women in all aspects of local government.

93. Labor will work with local government on the issue of urban reform and development through further measures to improve the efficiency and quality of local planning and approvals processes.

94. Labor recognises the role of local government in environmental management, including the areas of coastal management, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, improved waste management, energy efficiency, and improved catchment and water resources management and will promote its active involvement in the achievement of national environmental objectives. Labor will promote consideration of a broad range of national environmental strategies in the core business of local government.

95. Labor acknowledges the need for greater local government involvement in pursuing employment and training opportunities, in partnership with other spheres of government, business, unions and regional organisations.

96. Labor is committed to working with local government on the formulation and implementation of regional development strategies.

97. Labor recognises that costs to local government have increased. Accordingly, Labor will examine ways to redress the funding shortfall suffered by local government. In addition, Labor will work with local government to improve and protect the provision of infrastructure and services to local communities and to achieve best practice in the development, management and maintenance of infrastructure. This will include:

    • increasing efforts to stimulate and support infrastructure investment in partnership with State and federal governments; and
    • preparing infrastructure development plans as part of local and regional development objectives.

98. Through a whole-of-government approach, Labor will work towards clearer definitions of the roles and responsibilities of local government and other levels of government and the elimination of unnecessary duplication between spheres of government. Linkages between Commonwealth, State and local government in the delivery of services and programs will be improved, particularly across rural and regional areas. This process will involve the development of national benchmarking and performance indicators for specific services and functions, and will include consultation with all stakeholders, the community and appropriate unions.

99. Labor will implement a process to provide for a serious discussion on the future funding arrangements for local government, involving federal government, state government and local government. Industry unions will be asked to contribute to this important discussion.

100. External Territories

100. Labor recognises the need for special arrangements between the Commonwealth and the external territories that are tailored to the particular needs and circumstances of each territory.

101. Labor believes that the potential of our external territories and their people will be best realised when they have access to:

     • Fair and equitable opportunities similar to that in Australian states and mainland territories;
     • Appropriate economic, social and cultural development strategies addressing the needs and circumstances of each territory; and
     • Governance arrangements which are equitable, fair, sustainable and reflect the islanders desire for real decision making power and responsibility and a level of autonomy.

102. Labor recognises that the population of Australia's external territories have suffered from isolation and neglect and that new policies are required to protect their full citizenship rights and to support economic development to underpin their sustainability.